Elsevier

The Lancet

Volume 310, Issue 8029, 16 July 1977, Pages 127-129
The Lancet

Occasional Survey
SPLENECTOMY AND SUBSEQUENT MORTALITY IN VETERANS OF THE 1939-45 WAR

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(77)90132-5Get rights and content

Abstract

A long-term follow-up of 740 American servicemen splenectomised because of trauma during the 1939-45 war showed a significant excess mortality from pneumonia and ischæmic heart-disease. Mortality from cirrhosis was also increased, but not significantly. The findings confirm that the risk of fatal infections is increased by asplenia; however, the risk of cancer was not increased, as it is in some other immunodeficiency states. Post-splenectomy thrombocytosis and hypercoagulability may account for the increased risk of fatal myocardial ischæmia in this group.

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